The Healthiest US States for Dogs

The Ollie Health team, a team of veterinarians and veterinary technicians, reviews thousands of photos submitted through Ollie’s Health Screening service. That’s hundreds of dogs (and their stool!) checked and scored for healthy digestion, weight, dental hygiene, and skin and coats. While our Ollie Health experts are zeroed in on the details of every dog’s screening when we zoom out, we get a fuller picture of our dogs’ overall health, and interesting trends emerge. One such trend is the correlation between a dog’s location and their health. Read on to learn the healthiest US states for Ollie dogs. 

4 Factors of a Healthy Dog

Ollie offers four unique Health Screenings to help pup parents dive deep into key areas of their dogs’ health: Digestion, Weight, Dental, and Skin & Coat. Members upload photos directly to the app for the Ollie Health team to review and advise on next steps for achieving or maintaining tip-top health. Each screening type has its own rubric, allowing our veterinary professionals to quickly and thoroughly assess every photo.

Digestion

The Digestion Screening evaluates a photo of a dog’s stool and checks it for factors such as color, consistency, the presence of blood or mucus, as well as foreign matter like grass, parasites, or undigested food. 

Weight

The Ollie Health team uses a nine-point Body Composition Scale to analyze photos of dogs taken from above. This rating system assesses factors such as the visibility of the dog’s ribs or abdominal tuck, and fat distribution (if any) in key areas, including the base of the tail and the lumbar region. Once assessed, the team will assign a number ranging from 1: Very Underweight to 9: Very Overweight, and provide detailed next steps for helping the pup reach their ideal weight and body composition.

Dental Hygiene 

Similar to digestive health, a dog’s oral hygiene is closely linked to their overall health and wellness. Maintaining good dental health can help prevent a wide range of diseases and ailments. When conducting a Dental Screening, the Ollie Health team will look for instances of plaque and tartar build-up, as well as any inflammation around the gumline to determine if a dog’s dental health is in good standing or if they could use extra care. 

Skin & Coat

Itchy skin, dull coats, and hair loss are so commonly linked to diet and nutrition that it’s no surprise Ollie receives regular rave reviews about the reversal of these maladies from members who’ve switched their pup to Ollie’s fresh food. Taking a Skin & Coat Screening early on in your pup’s fresh food journey helps the Ollie Health team determine if it’s a matter of diet, allergies, or something else causing their skin woes. The team will look for dry, flaky skin, the presence of irritation or inflammation, as well as the coat’s lustre, texture, and distribution. Ollie’s vet professionals cannot diagnose illnesses or screen for cancer, but they can help point you in the right direction for getting the care you need for your pup.

Healthiest Dogs by State

We ran the numbers to determine where in the US our healthiest dogs* call home. From all of our members who completed a Health Screening, we found that certain states stood out, having passed more screenings with flying colors than other states. 

1. Michigan

Michigan made our top 10 list across all screenings and leads for the highest healthy scores in our Digestion Screening in particular. Is there something in the water giving these pups a leg up? And should we motion to redub Michigan the Great Poop State?

2. Florida

While the next two states on our list are tied for overall scores, Florida came out on top with the best Dental Screening results. Over half of our Floridian pups aced their first screening, proving that gators aren’t the only ones with champion chompers.

3. Arizona

Not only did Arizona make it to our top three overall, but this state’s pups took home third and second place, respectively, for their Digestion and Dental Screening scores. 

4. Illinois

This next state really takes its digestive health seriously. Nearly 94% of Illinois pups scored passing marks on their first Digestion Screening, just behind Michigan for healthiest results.

5. Texas

While the Lone Star State was in the middle of the pack overall, it really shone when it came to skin and coat health. Texas pups take silver for best Skin & Coat Screening scores.

6. New York

New York’s pups also proved to be star students in our Skin & Coat Screening, falling just behind Texas in third place for this specific screening. We’ll be asking them to drop their skin care routine ASAP.

7. Tennessee

Our sweet southern pups in Tennessee secured bronze for both Digestion and Dental Screenings. Good poops, clean teeth — can’t lose!

8. Massachusetts

Digestion and Skin & Coat Screenings were the strongest suits for Mass pups. While they may not have been top dog in any of our screenings, an impressive 93% of these pups had outstanding results for their first Digestion Screening. Well done!

9. California

While the Golden State didn’t earn gold in any of our screenings, they did make it to our top 10, which is still something to be proud of. Every dog deserves a treat, whether they made the list or not!

10. Ohio

Lastly, but not least, we have Ohio, coming in at number 10. Ohio’s pups aced our Skin & Coat Screening, with nearly half of all submissions yielding healthy results. 

How did your state fair? Did they make it to our top ten list? Want to see where your pup stands? Ollie’s Health Screenings are free with your membership and available exclusively through the app. Get quick and actionable feedback on your dog’s weight, digestion, skin and coat, and dental health, and feel prepared for your next vet visit.